how do I adjust to a position that’s full-time desk work?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes:

I saw a question about switching back to the office after working from home, and thought I’d throw the opposite out there. My previous jobs have all been mandatory on-site, with a mix of hands-on procedures and computer-based work. Relatively soon, I’ll be moving to a position that is both 100% desk work and remote (full-time WFH is, for many reasons, not for me, so I’ll be joining a co-working space).

This job is a great fit in many ways and I’m excited about it, but I’m looking for ideas of how to make 100% desk work sustainable. I’m a very active person, so I think I’m going to miss all the motion during the workday. And, when I have had stretches of mostly desk work, I’m tired and out of sorts by the end of the day from staring at a screen for so long.

For anyone who’s made a similar transition, how did it go? What strategies would you recommend to minimize the tedium, keep track of the passage of time, and avoid becoming one with the office chair? Finally, tips on avoiding screen burnout? I use blue light glasses; I’m looking more for advice on the mental end of it. 8-10 hours at the computer leaves me feeling burnt out and ineffective, even though I have no problem doing that same quantity of high-concentration physical work.

Readers, what’s your advice?

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